Encourage & Explore

I will preface this post by recounting an encounter from a trip Tom and I made to Gros Morne, Newfoundland, with my brother John and partner Michelin. We were all enthralled with the landscape, every inch of it beautiful and compelling, and couldn't help thinking that residents get to wake up every day to this natural beauty. We were in a little store and mentioned this to the owner, a local. Her response was 'rocks and trees is all, don't sees it'.

So, now we are back after a lovely week in Haliburton. We managed to get a fair bit of painting done, most of which still need work... We visited a gallery in the area (called the Art Hive) - a really neat concept, not unlike ArtScene in Spencerville, but more workshops and collaboration. Here’s a link: http://www.thearthive.com, check it out.

At this gallery I was taken with one artist in particular, Wendy Wood, whose unique and graphic take on her natural environment is compelling. Her fluid, sinuous interpretations strongly reflect one’s visual experience of those wonderful Canadian Shield rocks, abundant streams, tall pines, poplars, oaks and maples.

Tom and I have our own take on painting that environment, especially as we were there to paint plein air. Choosing what you will paint is your first challenge – then there is the breeze, the changing light (no bugs, thank heavens!). One spot, Butternut Falls, inspired this work (in progress) from Tom (oil on wood panel):

I was inspired by Wendy when I chose this view. At right is an actual shot of part of this scene.

At Ritchie Falls, I was inspired by the twisted cedars, with the bright backdrop of rushing water (work in progress, acrylic on wood panel).

So, in my Wednesday evening class, we will explore a little further our natural world, water, rocks and trees, for one more look at fall before she leaves us. We will leave the sad news of darkling darling Jian behind and lose ourselves in art! If you are inspired to join us, please contact me, or call me at 613-658-2916 and I will set you a place at our creative table!

The week of October 18-24 finds Tom and I in the Haliburton area, enjoying a week of painting and touring. It is the tail end of the fall season, which I prefer, as the fading colours are more intermittent and less overwhelming. It has been overcast and is drizzling today, so we are painting indoors using images shot yesterday – nice, because they are still fresh experiences.

Tom prepared some wood panels before we left, smaller sizes as we are staying only in a studio-sized room. Besides that, we usually try to accomplish 'studies' while we are away – pieces from which we might derive larger paintings. This assignation allows us the freedom to explore a subject without the pressure of feeling it has to be a really marketable painting to be worthwhile doing.

The scenery is truly inspiring, rich golds, yellows, ochres and browns (lots of oak trees). I have been particularly taken with the tall poplars, spilling their golden coins throughout the tiers of oak, spruce, and bare branches of trees that have spent their glory. Below is an 8x10 palette knife painting in acrylic, and the scene that inspired it.

When you are immersed in a season as beautiful as fall, you just can't help being inspired. For the last 2 weeks at Cedar Lane Studio classes have explored the rich, warm colours of the season in a variety of projects. Children and adults alike created enchanting pieces, and I know they also stepped out of the studio with a heightened awareness of the gifts of the season.

Fall meditations, Acrylic on canvas (thank you Dollarama!)

The children's group enjoyed the impasto effects created by using credit card pieces to lay down the rich pigments. A leafy tunnel to explore!

Reflections on the Season, Acrylic on WC Paper

I even managed to create a couple of sample pieces, and learned a lot doing them. Fun!